Somewhere out west

[Dbr1295]

Les/John F;

 

All good points between two fine modellers.

 

Les, the latest pictures again capture the small rural branch well. Nice work.

 

In my own efforts I have been reworking the wiring of the Peco points in the storage yard after I had not correctly wired them, according to my electrical friend John G. So, points pulled up and DCC retrofitted as per PECO instructions and off to Greerton (Tauranga) model shop for Peco accessory switches for underneath point motors. I probably should have committed to better point motors but I had so many Peco motors from past layout efforts that I wanted to 'recycle'..hence the wiring problems for my DCC. Slow but steady...!

 

 

regards Andy R

Hi Andy, keep at it. I'm sure it will be worth it in the long run.

[Bogie]

The bronze hinges you say.

 

I guess I'd agree if I could bl***y see them! 

[Dbr1295]

Due to falling passenger numbers on the branch, the decision was made to replace the usual 2 coach set with a single coach auto-train.

The challenge for the local residents now is to ensure patronage doesn’t fall further so that services are cut back even more!

 

We were on hand to capture on film the last time the 2 coach set ran on this service. 4573 was the motive power on this occasion.

 

 

While waiting, a snap was taken of 7754 as it carried out shunting duties.

 

 

Finally, on the first service of the afternoon, a first look at the replacement auto-train as it arrived.

 

 

Cheer, Les

[john flann]

Les, The Prairie and coaches look a little forlorn. Is traffic that poor they can't be retained? Their withdrawal does seem a shame. Can't they share the duies with the newcomers?

 

I would hope the decision isn't final.

[westerner]

I do like back stories on photos.

[Dbr1295]

Les, The Prairie and coaches look a little forlorn. Is traffic that poor they can't be retained? Their withdrawal does seem a shame. Can't they share the duies with the newcomers?

 

I would hope the decision isn't final.

Hi John, we appreciate your concern.

I’m afraid it is in the hands of the local populace now. If patronage was to increase the decision could be over turned.

I believe local MP, the Hon. Stanmore Crapton,  has made rumblings in Parliament about this.

Also I understand that the larger capacity may be required on market days and holidays, so this may not be the complete end yet.

[john flann]

Les, I've been thinking about this more, as I understand it you are proposing withdrawl of the two original coaches and their replacement by the two autocoaches.

 

But isn't the seating capacity of either set about the same? So what will be achieved?

 

Why not have both by thinking up a reason for increased traffic and the need to run the two separate services to meet it?

 

I know this is the real world approach rather than that in our imagination, but I think matters like this need to make sense.

 

Sent in all good fun.

 

Regards,

[Dbr1295]

Hi John,
No worries, your comments are taken in the spirit they were given.

It is only a single autocoach though.

However, it seems that popular support may cause management to undertake the unusual act of reversing their original decision…

So scenes as these may not be history just  yet.

 

 

Cheers, Les

[westerner]

Why not have the 2 coach train running early morning (People going to the local town to work) evening (bringing said works back). During the rest of the day the shuttle service run by the auto coach.

[Andrew P]

One Coach, Two Coach, Auto Coach, what the heck,   some really great pics, but I'm in the KEEP BOTH camp as well I'm afraid.

[Andy R]

I am trying Les, but time is currently a problem, as well as my lack of electrical nuance ...thanks for your encouragement.

 

 

regards Andy R

[Dbr1295]

A victory for the people.
Area management have gone back on their original decision and the 2 coach set will be reinstated for "peak" time traffic in the morning and evening, with the auto train running off peak.

So this is not the end...

 

Cheers, Les

Edited December 3, 2015 by Dbr1295

[Dbr1295]

Hi all,

 

A little bit quite on the somewhere out western front over Christmas.

Did spend some time painting loco crew from Monty's Models. Also painted a guard to sit in a van with the appearance of leaning on the side, however, he turned out a bit tall and my attempts to bend him to fit resulted in him loosing his head! I did managed to glue it back on, but now he just stands there, arms folded, staring out. I guess it's a long recovery back when one looses their head...

 

I also spent some time working on a 3/16" scale NZR Dsa class shunter, however when I came to fit the sand boxes I found that there was really poor misalignment in the castings and I am yet to decided whether to try and boogie up the originals or make new ones from styrene.

 

Finally a picture of a 57xx and van with the fireman gazing into the ballast and the guard looking traumatised (though little scaring is to be seen from his recent misadventure).

 

 

Cheers, Les

[Dbr1295]

Waiting for the road.

 

[Dbr1295]

Happy new year all,

 

Here are a few photo's taken the other day while I was having a play.

 

Firstly, 2260 arriving with a train of empties, which it will run around and head back down to a quarry branch for loading with stone.

 

4573 arriving with a passenger.

 

7754 waiting on shed.

 

Finally our latest  new toy, a Bachmann Duke Dog, working a goods. The detail on this thing is unbelievable.

 

As well as playing trains I've been doing a few other little projects, assembling some lineside fencing, making a small wall for the edge on the goods yard and finishing a grounded wagon body ( which can be seen in some earlier pictures in a primed state. I'll post some pictures later.

 

Cheers, Les

[Dbr1295]

A little scene at the back of the goods yard done. Boundary wall and a grounded van body for use as a store.

 

 

The wall is from 2 halves of the Wills walling set with the capping made from 1/2 round Evergreen strip with a cut made every 5mm with a razor saw.

Painted with Humbrol washes and dry-brushed with Tamiya acrylics.

The van body is a very old Ratio kit of an Iron Mink I've had lying around for a while. The W-irons were removed and it was mounded on some strips of wood after painting & weathering. The decals were slightly yellowed with age but remained intact when applied. It was painted with Tamiya aerosols and Floqual paints.

 

 

Weathering was done with powders and the rust effect was done using artists oils applied with one of those eye make-up sponge thingies, a method a saw in Model Railroader a while back. Small spots of rust were done using a toothpick with which I had cut the point off about 1mm up.

 

 

 

All in all, reasonably pleased with the way its turn out. Still to add items of freight awaiting loading (or just unloaded) and there is a yard crane to be completed and installed.

 

Cheers, Les

[Andrew P]

Hi Les, Thanks for some more really inspirational pics, I must take a longer read through again later.

 

Excellent.

[Shedman5]

Great pictures and a job well done with the ratio kit!

[Dbr1295]

Well I think I've finally got a name for the layout. It's been brewing in my head for the past few days, and it is kind of growing on me.

And it is...."Wydgate".

I'm fairly sure there isn't already a place out there called Wydgate, plus it does have reasonably rustic sound. It could be part of a wider area such as the River Wyd, Wydbridge, Wydford, Wyd Junction.

It's out there now so will be interested on feedback.

 

Anyhow, here's a pic taken this afternoon. The fireman of 4573 takes a look back to make sure everything's OK before the afternoon goods leaves back up the branch.

 

Cheers, Les

[Dbr1295]

Today I thought I would share the locos I have available for use on the branch.

 

Firstly the latest addition, a Duke dog. Apart form the crew, as out of the box

 

A 22xx of about 2001 vintage. Has been close coupled, crew added and the backhead details picked out with paint.

 

Small Prairie. Purchased mid 2000's in weathered condition. Only crew added so far. 

 

A 1994 vintage Bachmann 57xx pannier. Crew added and weathered. Need to replace broken handles on tank fillers.

 

Another '94 57xx pannier. Apart from painting the motion as out of the box still.

 

Another recent purchase, class 64xx pannier. As new still.

 

Mainline 43xx. Close coupled, weathered and crew added. Brought second hand about '95. Nice loco but runs rubbish until warmed up, unfortunately doesn't have enough of a run to get warmed up.

 

1994 Bachmann 93xx. Wheels and motion painted and close coupled, otherwise as out of the box. Nice model, but now shows its age alongside newer ones.

 

The one that started it all. A chance purchase of the Manor back in 1993 got me back into railway modelling and the Western Region. Only been close coupled. Doesn't get used on the branch except on the odd occasion I get the urge to run it.

 

Finally an Ivatt 2MT. Must have brought this 11995 or 1996. It was pretty neat when I got it but doesn't get used much now. I really need to repaint the wheels and motion.

 

Probably too many tender locos for a branch like this, but the there seems to be a dearth of small ex GWR tanks in RTR. At the moment I'm not really interested in building a kit, as I would rather put the effort into my NZR stuff which has to be kit or scratch built.

As time permits I will detail and personalize these a little.

 

I do have a few diesels as well, but apart from a Hymek  they aren't really suited for a western region branch. That may have to be another project!

 

Cheers, Les

[wigancg]

Hi Les,

 

Great updates here! Also, a super line up of locos and nice weathering applied too! Hopefully in the not too distant future you'll be able to get hold of a lovely, new, detailed (at last) 14xx tank for use with your autocoach and/or for pick up freight duties too? Have you considered the 4575 class or thr 56xx class tanks? Useful locos to use perhaps on your layout?

 

Finally, I really like your use of the old GW Mink van as a yard stores lock up. Recycling indeed!

 

Chris

[Andy R]

Hi Les- back from holiday and loving your progress. Well done and good use of holiday time by you.

 

Keeps me inspired...thanks, Andy R

[Andy R]

Les, catching up as you will have seen from my recent posts and having a well earned day off from cruise ship work (Rotorua- Hobbiton trips this week).

 

I like this little cameo scene very much...and the fireman looking back is a nice touch and moves away from the normal positioning. Its this kind of thinking Les that makes your modelling ideas educational and always interesting. Keep them coming. Like you I acquired a Bachmann dukedog (GWR painted version) and I love it. It runs well from the box and looks superb. I cant bring myself to weather it though!

 

regards, Andy R

[georgeT]

Cracking collection of motive power Les, very nicely weathered, just right...

[Dbr1295]

Hi Les,

 

Great updates here! Also, a super line up of locos and nice weathering applied too! Hopefully in the not too distant future you'll be able to get hold of a lovely, new, detailed (at last) 14xx tank for use with your autocoach and/or for pick up freight duties too? Have you considered the 4575 class or thr 56xx class tanks? Useful locos to use perhaps on your layout?

 

Finally, I really like your use of the old GW Mink van as a yard stores lock up. Recycling indeed!

 

Chris

Thanks Chris,

Yes, I'm keeping an eye out for the release of the 14xx. I do have an old second hand Airfix one stashed away, maybe I need to get it out and tidy it up a bit.

Cheers, Les